2012-2013 Offseason Thread III (Now with Bonus Offseason!)

I'm all for guys like Smith and Ritchie to be given real shots during training camp, and letting them make the team if they clearly earn it. But personally I'd rather everyone but Dillon, Eakin, and Vincour stay in the AHL/OHL for the rest of the season. No need to rush anyone.

I'm all for guys like Smith and Ritchie to be given real shots during training camp, and letting them make the team if they clearly earn it. But personally I'd rather everyone but Dillon, Eakin, and Vincour stay in the AHL/OHL for the rest of the season. No need to rush anyone.

One thing to take into consideration is Ritchie is hurt. It's not just the collision he had pre-tournament. They gave him a rest day during the WJC, and the head coach said he was dealing with several nagging injuries not all related to the collision.

Like I mentioned a week ago, him attending camp could be just as valuable in allowing him to get healthy as it could be to get him acclimated with the team.

One thing to take into consideration is Ritchie is hurt. It's not just the collision he had pre-tournament. They gave him a rest day during the WJC, and the head coach said he was dealing with several nagging injuries not all related to the collision.

Like I mentioned a week ago, him attending camp could be just as valuable in allowing him to get healthy as it could be to get him acclimated with the team.

Good point. I forgot about his injury. 2 weeks off* should help him heal up a bit.

Also .... I think the teams that go heavy on guys already in game shape will be the ones that could pull out front early in the season.

IMO ... it's key to get guys like Eakin, Vincour, Sceviour, and Dillon in this lineup. Then add to that You're entire first line of Benn, Eriksson, and Jagr are in game shape, and IMO your best defender Larsen is good to go.

I'm a bit concerned about Lehtonen and Bachman having not played games, but I trust that Lehtonen really is a new man since coming to Dallas. I believe at the very least he will in fact be in shape.

I'm not trying to say it's impossible, but even at $64.3 million, some teams are going to struggle.

I don't know that I want him coming to Dallas, but one possibility with Minnesota would be Dany Heatley for Robidas.

Minnesota is in a tough, tough spot next season, and Heatley is guy often in speculation for an amnesty buyout. That option is great and everything, but that cash is real even if the cap hit isn't.

Heatley would cost $3.333 million in actual dollars to buyout. Instead of wasting that cash on nothing, they could spend $2.85 million on Robidas next season.

I've always hated Heatley, but I wouldn't mind one bit if the Stars could get him straight up for Robidas. Looking at Capgeek Heatley has a hit of 7.5 through 13-14. He's a left shot but plays RW. He'd obviously get slotted in the top 6, which would be good because it would move Whitney down to the 3rd line most likely.

I think I would prefer him playing LW though. IF he lands here, the lines would look something like this:

If we trade for Heatly we could let him play for the year and decide next year whether to buy him out, it's not a bad option especially if we can get some draft picks on top of trading a guy like Robidas.

If we trade for Heatly we could let him play for the year and decide next year whether to buy him out, it's not a bad option especially if we can get some draft picks on top of trading a guy like Robidas.

Yep. Right now the Stars have $16M in cap space. Assuming Benn gets a contract in the range of $5-6M, you'd have $10M in space for Heatley's 7.5. It's intriguing and weird to think that we could be close to the ceiling lol.

Yep. Right now the Stars have $16M in cap space. Assuming Benn gets a contract in the range of $5-6M, you'd have $10M in space for Heatley's 7.5. It's intriguing and weird to think that we could be close to the ceiling lol.